US senator backs Trump’s peace efforts but warns of Putin’s obstinacy

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has praised President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to help resolve Russia’s war against Ukraine but warned that any hope for peace remains impossible so long as Vladimir Putin believes he holds the upper hand.

In a post on his X account, Graham voiced optimism that the meeting between Ukrainian and US representatives in Geneva could yield progress toward ending the conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

I hope the meetings in Geneva will bear fruit, and that Ukraine and the United States can agree on a way forward to end this horrible war. I appreciate President Trump and his team for trying to push for peace. However, it is clear to me that there will be no peace as long as… https://t.co/PxYs9VnIe5

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 25, 2025

“I hope the meetings in Geneva will bear fruit, and that Ukraine and the United States can agree on a way forward to end this horrible war. I appreciate President Trump and his team for trying to push for peace. However, it is clear to me that there will be no peace as long as Putin believes he is in the driver's seat. He will insist on capitulation, not peace. To grant this would encourage more aggression throughout the world and it would come back to haunt us all.

In that regard, America and the rest of the world have many cards that have yet to be played against Putin’s Russia. I hope we can find an honorable and just peace soon. But if Putin continues to reject ceasefires, compromise peace proposals and insist on capitulation, then it is time for the United States and rest of the world to start playing their cards differently,” he said in a post.

His remarks came as foreign affairs committee chairs from the parliaments of 20 European nations issued a joint statement warning against any peace agreement that would effectively reward Russia for launching the war against Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva